“Customer Is King:” PLDT Champions Customer-Centric Growth at ACC CXO Forum

Hong Kong – As enterprises accelerate their digital transformation journeys amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), PLDT Inc. underscored the importance of customer-centricity, strategic investment, and ecosystem partnerships in driving sustainable growth and long-term business resilience during the inaugural ACC CXO Forum in Hong Kong.

Led and organized by PLDT Global, the ACC CXO Forum in Hong Kong gathered international industry leaders, technology decision-makers, and enterprise executives to explore how organizations are rethinking investment priorities, modernizing infrastructure, and building resilient partnerships to create value in an increasingly digital economy.

For the PLDT Group, the discussion reflects the company's continuing evolution from a traditional telecommunications provider into an integrated digital services partner.

"Customer is king. The way we engage customers has evolved significantly over the years," said Leo I. Posadas, PLDT SVP and Treasurer and PLDT Global CFO. "Previously, customers managed separate relationships for connectivity, wireless, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital services. Today, we bring these together through a cohesive approach, creating one customer view and one integrated conversation."

This integrated engagement model supports the PLDT Group's broader commitment to helping organizations navigate increasingly complex technology environments while simplifying their transformation journeys.

"Going beyond the signal means delivering a full suite of capabilities that help customers achieve their business objectives," Posadas added. "Whether locally or globally, our focus remains on customer experience, customer choice, and customer success."

Procurement's evolving role as a growth enabler

A key theme from the forum was the changing role of procurement, which has evolved from a cost-management function into a strategic business enabler.

PLDT Chief Procurement Officer Louella F. Calixtro emphasized that organizations Today must evaluate suppliers based not only on price but also on their ability to contribute innovation, resilience, and long-term value.

"Procurement is no longer just about achieving savings. It is about shaping investment decisions, influencing where capital is deployed, and identifying partners that can help the organization create sustainable value," she said.

In an environment where supply chain disruptions and technology shifts have become increasingly common, building strong ecosystems has emerged as a strategic priority.

"The conversation has shifted from choosing the supplier with the lowest cost to identifying the partner that can support you throughout your business journey," Calixtro added. "The real measure of a partnership is not the contract itself, but how that partner behaves when challenges emerge."

She noted that resilient ecosystems help organizations maintain business continuity, accelerate innovation, and maximize returns on strategic investments.

Building the future through collaboration

The discussions at the ACC CXO Forum reinforced the importance of collaboration among enterprises, technology providers, and industry partners in shaping the future digital economy. And for the PLDT Group, this means continuing to evolve and serving as a trusted partner that enables growth, innovation, and resilience.

Globe Business and Chinabank Savings Partner to Transform Financial Accessibility for Public School Teachers Nationwide

For public school teachers, finding time during the school day to visit a bank branch can be difficult, particularly for those working far from commercial centers. Globe Business and Chinabank Savings (CBS) are making it easier to bring financial services closer to them by equipping CBS field teams with 215 Samsung tablets powered by GPlan Biz. The mobile setup gives CBS field officers the connectivity and tools they need to assist teachers directly at school sites, reducing the need for educators to leave their classrooms to access selected banking and credit services.

With CBS managing this program across its 257 branches nationwide, the newly deployed mobile solution provides reliable mobile data, unlimited calls, texts, and landline access to eliminate traditional operational delays on the ground. Armed with these tools, CBS field officers can now process non-collateral loans under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS), manage portfolios, and resolve customer queries in real time directly from school sites. This ensures that educators receive rapid, dependable financial support while remaining at their school sites.

“Technology should make it easier for businesses to serve their customers, especially when that service happens beyond the traditional office. By giving Chinabank Savings field teams secure connectivity and the mobile tools they need on the ground, we are helping them work more efficiently and respond faster to the educators and communities they serve,” said Glenn Estrella, Vice President of Globe Business.

“Our field officers are an important link between Chinabank Savings and the education community. Equipping them with dependable connectivity and mobile tools helps us respond to our customers more efficiently and continue making financial support accessible to teaching and non-teaching personnel across the country,” said James Christian T. Dee, President of Chinabank Savings.

This alliance highlights a shared commitment to nation-building. Chinabank Savings has a long track record of dedicating resources to uplift public school teachers, and Globe Business actively champions enterprises that serve critical priority sectors. By providing the digital foundation for this outreach, Globe Business enables its partners to scale their real-world impact and deliver essential services directly to the communities that need them most.

As National Teachers’ Month shines a light on the contributions of educators, this collaboration demonstrates a practical way to support their daily lives. By digitizing CBS's on-the-ground operations, Globe Business is helping ensure that the country’s public school teachers have faster, safer, and more convenient access to the financial resources they need.

To learn more about how Globe Business is transforming enterprises’ field operations and elevating customer touchpoints,
visit www.globe.com.ph/business/enterprise-finance.

Vivo X300 Ultra Brings Fast-Paced Imaging Challenge to NBA House Philippines

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — How quickly can you spot a subject, frame it, and capture it from a distance? At the Philippines’ first-ever NBA House, Vivo turned that question into an exciting imaging challenge featuring the Vivo X300 Ultra.

Held from August 29 to 30 at SPACE at One Ayala, NBA House Philippines brought basketball fans together for an immersive celebration of the sport and its culture. The two-day event blended basketball, fashion, music, and entertainment, with special appearances from basketball icons Jason Kidd, Lauren Jackson, and Tony Parker.

As one of the event partners, Vivo brought its mobile imaging technology into the spotlight through the Vivo Imaging Challenge. Participants were tasked with finding specific subjects around the venue and capturing them within a limited amount of time using the Vivo X300 Ultra paired with the 400mm Equivalent Vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra.

With a lively and crowded event environment around them, participants had to stay alert and make quick decisions. They needed to identify the correct subject, adjust their framing, and capture the shot from where they were standing—all within seconds.

The challenge transformed smartphone photography into an interactive experience. Rather than simply testing a camera at a display booth, attendees had to actively use the Vivo X300 Ultra while navigating the movement and excitement of NBA House.

The experience also demonstrated the practical benefits of extended telephoto imaging. The Vivo X300 Ultra and its telephoto extender kit allow users to frame distant subjects without physically moving closer, making the setup particularly useful for sporting events, concerts, and other crowded venues where distance and limited space can make photography challenging.

For participants, the goal was simple: spot the target, find the right composition, and trust the technology to bring the subject closer.

Those who joined the challenge also received exclusive prizes, including a puffer bag, X80 Bluetooth speaker, and Vivo Air Buds, giving fans an additional keepsake from the event.

The Vivo activation added another layer to NBA House Philippines, where basketball culture extended beyond the court and brought legends, fans, creators, and enthusiasts together under one roof.

The Vivo X300 Ultra is now available for PHP 109,999 at Vivo concept stores nationwide and through the Vivo e-store. For the latest updates, follow Vivo Philippines on social media or visit the official Vivo website.

Dyson Unveils a New Era of Intelligent Technology Across the Home

Dyson is pushing the boundaries of everyday technology with a new lineup of intelligent products designed to make personal care, cleaning, air quality, and home maintenance smarter and more efficient. The latest unveiling highlights Dyson’s continued focus on combining advanced engineering, artificial intelligence, and user-centric design across its product ecosystem.

Leading the new range is the Dyson CameraJet™, described as the only toothbrush with an integrated camera and precision jet. Designed to provide greater visibility during brushing, the technology can identify gaps between teeth and precisely target those areas, bringing a more intelligent approach to everyday oral care.

For home cleaning, the Dyson Robot Nurovi™ range introduces advanced intelligence across both wet and dry cleaning. Its capabilities include UV-enhanced AI stain detection and new technologies designed to improve cleaning along edges and reach into difficult corners. This combination aims to address areas that conventional cleaning methods can often miss.

Dyson is also expanding its approach to indoor air quality with the Dyson HushJet™ air purification range. The new purifiers, heaters, and coolers are engineered to deliver powerful yet quiet air projection while incorporating intelligent technology for a more responsive home environment.

In floor care, the Dyson W1 PencilWash™ has been reengineered to deliver improved performance while retaining its lightweight and slim profile. Self-cleaning technology further enhances convenience, helping simplify maintenance after use.

Hair care also receives new innovations. The Dyson Corrale CoolShine™ straightener combines flexible plates with active cooling technology, delivering sleek styling results while offering up to 29% less heat damage. Meanwhile, the Dyson Airsmooth™ hot brush is designed to dry, lift, and smooth hair using Dyson’s patented dual-bristle system and intelligent heat control.

Beyond hardware, Dyson is introducing MyDyson™, a customer service promise intended to support owners throughout the product ownership journey. Through connected intelligence, predictive servicing, and expert human assistance, MyDyson™ aims to create a more seamless relationship between consumers and their devices.

Together, these innovations reflect a broader shift toward intelligent, connected technology—where products do more than perform a task. They sense, adapt, and provide smarter solutions designed around the way people live.

School Safety Goes Beyond the Drill: Why Reporting Early Matters

MANILA, Philippines — Schools across the Philippines are conducting the National Simultaneous School Safety Drill at 9 a.m. on September 3, allowing students and school personnel to rehearse how they should respond when an immediate threat reaches campus.

Originally scheduled for Aug. 25, the drill was postponed because of weather-related class suspensions. While exercises like this are essential for emergency preparedness, recent survey findings suggest that school safety must begin long before an attack or other crisis occurs.

An Aug. 11 survey by Agile Data Solutions Inc. of 1,900 respondents found that no single safety measure clearly dominated. CCTV coverage was selected by 53.3% of respondents, followed closely by stronger disciplinary policies at 53.1% and student awareness programs at 52.3%. Campus security personnel were cited by 50.5%, while 47.7% pointed to entry and exit checkpoints.

The results highlight an important point: effective school security requires layers of protection, rather than relying on one measure.

That layered approach also includes encouraging students, teachers, parents and members of the community to report warning signs before they develop into emergencies.

The survey found that fear of being wrong was the leading barrier to reporting, cited by 33.4% of respondents. Others pointed to a lack of trust in authorities (25.3%), fear of retaliation (22%), and uncertainty about whom to contact (14.8%).

These findings underscore the importance of creating a reporting environment where people do not feel responsible for determining whether a threat is credible. Their role should be to raise a concern; trained authorities and school officials can then assess the information and determine the appropriate response.

Knowledge of reporting procedures also appears important. Overall, 80.2% of respondents said they were likely or very likely to report suspicious activity. However, among those who knew how to report a threat, 54.6% said they were very likely to do so. That figure dropped to 21.8% among those unsure of the reporting process.

This gap points to a practical solution: schools need clear, visible, and accessible reporting channels.

School safety is not only about knowing what to do during an active attack. It is also about recognizing concerning behavior, knowing where to report it, protecting those who speak up, and ensuring that information reaches people who can act.

Today’s drill tests the response when danger is immediate. The bigger challenge is making sure a warning sign is never ignored before it gets that far.